Indonesia (Hansard, 12 November 1991)

§ Mrs. Mahon
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to implement an arms embargo in respect of Indonesia in response to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe's standing committee resolution passed in Helsinki on 28 June 1991.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
None. An embargo would be neither appropriate nor effective.
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§ Mrs. Mahon
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met representatives of the Indonesian Government; and what was the purpose of that meeting.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
On 31 May 1991, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Mr. Ali Alatas, in the margins of the EC/ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting in Luxembourg. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange views on matters of regional and international interest.

§ Mrs. Mahon
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long the meeting with Jose Ramos-Horta of the National Council of Maubere Resistance on 7 November lasted; and what items were discussed.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
Mr. Ramos-Horta called on officials for about an hour on 7 November when he outlined the current situation in East Timor.

§ Mrs. Mahon
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has had regarding the Indonesian occupation of East Timor; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
We receive frequent representations on the subject of East Timor. We support the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General to promote a settlement acceptable to all parties.

§ Mrs. Mahon
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Indonesian Government regarding attacks by the Indonesian military on East Timorese churches; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
We regularly draw the attention of the Indonesian authorities to our concern about reports of human rights abuses in East Timor. We will continue to do

§ Mrs. Mahon
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts have been made by Her Majesty's Government to secure the implementation of United Nations General Assemby resolution 35/27/1980.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
The United Kingdom abstained on resolution 35/27/1980 in the belief that this would best assist the proccess of reconciliation and the search for a diplomatic solution to the East Timor question. The United Kingdom fully supports the United Nations Secretary General's efforts to promote a solution acceptable to both sides and has encouraged Indonesia and Portugal to co-operate to this end.